HENSOLDT Optronics’ (which emerged from Carl Zeiss Optronics) heritage in submarine systems dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. In 1903, the company developed and produced the world’s first fully functional periscope for the German Navy’s “Forelle” submarine. Since then, HENSOLDT Optronics have continuously been pushing technological boundaries and setting new standards in the field of periscope systems. Today, the company has successfully supplied and installed over 3,000 periscopes and optronic mast systems and is capable of offering a complete range of periscopes and optronic masts to meet the requirements of modern submarines, enabling them to meet the challenges of the future. 

Defence Turkey talked with Harald HANSEN, Director Sales Maritime at HENSOLDT Optronics GmbH to get firsthand information on HENSOLDT Optronics’ activities in Turkey, their cooperation with Turkish companies and on the periscope and mast systems selected for the integration on Turkish and Pakistan Navy submarines.